Press release

Erie
Canal Harbor Development Corp. today launched its 2013 season of
summer programming at Canalside and debuted www.canalsidebuffalo.com,
a mobile-friendly events calendar. An open house will be held from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, at Canalside.

This
year, Canalside will host more than 800 events and activities
presented by 108 local individuals and organizations. It is expected
that the programming will attract 800,000 visitors to Buffalo's
waterfront. New offerings this year include "Canalside Food Fight"
- a series of food truck competitions; a games and leisure
component featuring an outdoor reading room and games, such as
badminton and other lawn/board games, as well as pool, ping pong and
foosball in The Ruins; and "A Celebration of Music" with the
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Friends. Old favorites returning
with expanded programming include Explore and More Children's
Museum, Young Audiences of WNY and the African American Cultural
Center. Also back for 2013 are the Saturday Artisan Market, Music at
the Ruins and fitness programs, such as yoga, tai chi and Zumba.

"With
more visitors than ever discovering the unique experience of our
waterfront, the growth we're seeing at Canalside is unprecedented,"
said ECHDC Chairman Robert Gioia. "This year Erie Canal Harbor
Development Corp. continues to offer a diverse selection of
activities with nearly a 100 percent increase in programming and
events over the 2012 season. Under Gov/ Cuomo's leadership,
Buffalo's waterfront is flourishing and ECHDC continues to build
upon its success."

In
conjunction with today's launch, ECHDC is debuting www.canalsidebuffalo.com,
which is an easily accessible events calendar that is mobile and
tablet responsive. The site includes a calendar of events, directions
to the site, parking information, site amenities and a link to www.eriecanalharbor.com.
The site is in response to the feedback ECHDC received from the
public regarding the need for a mobile events calendar.

"By
launching this mobile website we are reaching out to a market in
Western New York that is increasingly mobile and on the go," said
ECHDC President Thomas Dee. "We feel this site will significantly
assist in boosting visitors to Canalside and, in turn, attract the
critical mass and private investment that ECHDC is striving for. I am
confident that the mobile-ready website will be a huge help in
improving the visitor experience at Canalside."

Saturday's
Canalside open house will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with nearly 40
scheduled programmers to appear, as well as several short, signature
performances. Featured events include the "Canalside Food Fight,"
the first in a series of four mobile food competitions; Treehouse
Lawn Jart Tournament; and a feature performance by members of the
BPO.

All
events and appearances run from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. For more information
on the open house, visit www.canalsidebuffalo.com.

Congressman
Brian Higgins said, "With each passing year it gets more and more
difficult to count the numbers of events that are planned for
Canalside. But just a few short years ago, counting the number of
events wasn't difficult: there were none. Thanks to the historic
2005-06 NYPA settlement, the public's demand for more and better
access to our region's waterfront has resulted in a vibrancy and
energy along our inner harbor not seen for decades. From the
festivals and concerts to the hundreds of family-friendly activities
planned for this summer, Canalside will continue to grow and expand
in the months and years to come, drawing thousands more to downtown
Buffalo to experience all that there is to enjoy about summer in
Buffalo, N.Y."

City
of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, "The progress and growth we're
seeing in the Canalside area continues the great momentum on
Buffalo's waterfront. I want to thank Gov. Cuomo and Lt. Gov. Duffy
for their continued commitment to Buffalo and the waterfront. The
record number of people that are projected to visit the Canalside
area is another visible sign of progress and increased public access
on our waterfront, spurring more investment and job opportunities."

Erie
County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, "Creative and innovative
programs and attractions at Canalside this year will bring thousands
of new visitors to enjoy food, music, cultural programs and fun for
the whole family. I encourage everyone to check out the Canalside
website, which makes it easy to browse the events and get more
information, and then come to Canalside often in the coming months."

State
Sen. Mark Grisanti said, "It is exciting to see over 800 events
come to Canalside this season. I encourage everyone from the Western
New York region and Canada to come down and visit Canalside to check
out these many different events."

Assemblyman
Sean Ryan said, "It is exciting to see that Canalside is ready to
go with another summer filled with great events. Gov. Cuomo's
continued push for progress along our waterfront is paying dividends,
to the benefit of Buffalo and all of Western New York. Tourists and
locals alike will be able to enjoy this progress all summer long with
numerous events and experiences. With the completion of HARBORCenter
and the canal park projects right around the corner, I am looking
forward to the many year-round activities that will contribute to the
excitement of Canalside."

Highlights
of the 2013 Programming and Events Season include:

▪June
2: Pride Festival

▪June
15: Pop Up Park Playground

▪July
4: July 4th Celebration

▪July
5: Arrival of the Schooner Lois McClure

▪July
13-14: Celebration of Music with The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra &
Friends

▪Aug.
17: The Color Run

▪Aug.
18: Clutch Artists Autorama

▪Aug.
21: Squeaky Wheel's Outdoor Animation Festival

▪Aug.
23-25: Buffalo Irish Festival

▪Sept.
13-15: Tall Ships Festival

As
a subsidiary of Empire State Development, the state's chief
economic development agency, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp.
supports and promotes the creation of infrastructure and public
activities at Canalside, the Ohio Street corridor and the outer
harbor to attract critical mass, private investment and enhance the
enjoyment of the waterfront for residents and tourists in Western New
York. Its vision is to revitalize Western New York's waterfront and
restore economic growth to Buffalo based on the region's legacy of
pride, urban significance and natural beauty. For more information on
ECHDC, visit www.eriecanalharbor.com.